On-Demand and Live Streaming Video with CloudFront

You can use CloudFront to deliver on-demand video or live streaming video using any
HTTP origin. One way you can set up video workflows
in the cloud is by using CloudFront together with AWS Media Services.

About Streaming Video: On-Demand and Live Streaming

You must use an encoder to package video content before you can set up CloudFront
to distribute it. These packages contain your audio, video, and
captions content in small files called segments, each with a few seconds of content.
They also contain manifest files, which
players use to determine which segment to download and when to play it, in a specific
order. Common formats for packages are MPEG DASH,
Apple HLS, Microsoft Smooth Streaming, and CMAF.

On-demand video streaming

For on-demand video streaming, your video content is stored on a server and viewers
can watch it
at any time. To make an asset that viewers can stream, use a transcoder, such
as AWS Elemental MediaConvert,
to convert your file into a streaming package.

After your video is converted into the right formats, you can store it on a server
or in an S3 bucket, and then
deliver it with CloudFront as viewers request it.

Live video streaming

For live video streaming, you can either stream a live event or set up a 24x7 live
channel.
To create live outputs for broadcast and streaming delivery, use an encoder such
as MediaLive.

Examples of live events are live broadcasting and content aggregators streaming sports
tournaments, awards ceremonies, and keynote
addresses.

A 24x7 live channel might be set up for a studio, broadcaster, or paid TV service
operator who wants to package and deliver
a live linear channel over the internet, sending content directly to an audience
without a third-party distribution platform.